Turntable Kitchen’s Cookbook Lover’s Gift Guide

November 30th 2012

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I don’t know about you, but I’m a firm believer in having a house full of good books that don’t just live in my iPad or eReader. I have always loved the feel of a hard cover, the smell of paper and ink, and the way that a physical book looks on a bookshelf. Even though I hardly write anything down on paper, I desperately hope that print never dies, which is why I love gifting and getting getting books.

When I receive a new cookbook, I find myself as engrossed as I would be in a thrilling novel or a truly compelling film. The first thing I do with a new cookbook is leaf through each page, making mental notes of recipes that I know I’ll need to revisit. Then, I’ll often read the introduction. From there, I’ll re-browse photos, and start reading personal essays, if there are any. And finally, I’ll start making plans.

My favorite cookbooks are those I open frequently, even if I’m not necessarily intending to cook anything from them. I flip through for instant inspiration, to remind myself of ingredients and flavor combinations I want to riff off of, or to re-familiarize myself with cooking techniques or food styling.

This holiday season, I recommend giving someone you love a book. Below is a list of a few of my long-time and new favorites. Happy gifting!